GH2 Can someone please explain this whole hack business?

[M. Gilden]

The one reason I'm scared to try out the hack is I can't find any information on how easy it is/procedure to remove it. I mostly use the gh2 for it's long recording times (which I heard doesn't hold up with the hack due to higher bitrates) and would like to easily get rid of and replace the hack when I need it to work in its original form. Can anyone lead me to info on this?

I think you flash it, like updating the firmware. In most of these kinds of situations, flashing the manufacturer's firmware back on (like doing the new 1.1 update from Panasonic) will return to stock.

I read somewhere that some guys carry around extra SD cards with various firmware and patched hack files on them so they can quickly flash to another one on the job.
Not sure how practical that is to do, but supposedly takes about 5 minutes each time.

Again, maybe someone who has done it can chime in.

 

[TheDingo]

The one reason I'm scared to try out the hack is I can't find any information on how easy it is/procedure to remove it.

Removal is easy. You just update with the stock Panasonic firmware the same way you apply the hack.

I mostly use the gh2 for it's long recording times (which I heard doesn't hold up with the hack due to higher bitrates)

It depends on which hack you apply, as there are more than a dozen hacks, and some of the higher bitrate ones require very high speed memory in order to span file segments when recording longer videos.

The lower bit-rate hacks, say in the 44 Mbit range or lower, will span with any Class 6 or Class 10 SDHC card, so you can make long recordings with these cards and still take advantage of the extra image quality from the hack.

 

[Kholi]

The one reason I'm scared to try out the hack is I can't find any information on how easy it is/procedure to remove it. I mostly use the gh2 for it's long recording times (which I heard doesn't hold up with the hack due to higher bitrates) and would like to easily get rid of and replace the hack when I need it to work in its original form. Can anyone lead me to info on this?

It's as easy as keeping the original firmware and then changing the number from 10 to 11, or 01 to 02... then click a button and you've got it.

Done deal.

 

[dtjohns1]

@TheDingo and @Kholi Thanks! So I'm guessing you can put multiple versions of the hack on one memory card and it's a menu system like picture styles where your cycle through what firmware/hack you want to use at the current moment? Say for instance 1. Default Firmware 2. Driftwood... 3. 44mm and so on?

 

[stoneinapond]

@TheDingo and @Kholi Thanks! So I'm guessing you can put multiple versions of the hack on one memory card and it's a menu system like picture styles where your cycle through what firmware/hack you want to use at the current moment? Say for instance 1. Default Firmware 2. Driftwood... 3. 44mm and so on?

No, only one per card.

 

[itsdonny]

Great thread. I look forward to seeing a sticky with all the info on this topic so we can all benefit.

 

[blazer003]

One thing I will say about forums in general is that sometimes you sit there and read post after post of debate and talk that insiders like us will have no problem deciphering, but newer people don't know where to start. I think FAQs stickied that are actually updated, with clear indications as to when they were updated are the biggest friend of not having simple questions. Then, when a simple question is asked, you point them to one post that has all the information. Like the "Setting up GH2 for Video" at the top of this forum. Invaluable. I've referenced it 5-10 times for info. It's saved me from asking silly questions. Where's the beginners guide for the hacks?

This thread is decent, but no where does it give a layman's terms of what it is that the hack really does. I would love to write one, and would for a heartbeat on the GH1 (as I know all about it.) I just got my GH2 a few days ago, and haven't hacked it yet (I like to see what it can do without it first, so I can judge what I'm gaining and whether it's worth any glitches I run into.) but will gladly start one for it once I'm comfortable. I just spent a few hours searching around and these burst patches, Intra, 24p only after deinterlacing, and what not even have me confused. Even as a GH1 hack veteran, starting from even that basis (but not having followed a ton on the GH2 hack) while I certainly already understand the process (from GH1 hacking days) I'm as confused as the OP about some of the new stuff for GH2.

For the GH1 I did countless hours of pouring over topics to find the useful info, and it's what I'll likely do for the GH2 as well. But count me as hopeful that we can do better FAQs and simple explanations pinned to the top to help alleviate some of the pain.

 

[M. Gilden]

One thing I will say about forums in general is that sometimes you sit there and read post after post of debate and talk that insiders like us will have no problem deciphering, but newer people don't know where to start. I think FAQs stickied that are actually updated, with clear indications as to when they were updated are the biggest friend of not having simple questions. Then, when a simple question is asked, you point them to one post that has all the information. Like the "Setting up GH2 for Video" at the top of this forum. Invaluable. I've referenced it 5-10 times for info. It's saved me from asking silly questions. Where's the beginners guide for the hacks?

This thread is decent, but no where does it give a layman's terms of what it is that the hack really does. I would love to write one, and would for a heartbeat on the GH1 (as I know all about it.) I just got my GH2 a few days ago, and haven't hacked it yet (I like to see what it can do without it first, so I can judge what I'm gaining and whether it's worth any glitches I run into.) but will gladly start one for it once I'm comfortable. I just spent a few hours searching around and these burst patches, Intra, 24p only after deinterlacing, and what not even have me confused. Even as a GH1 hack veteran, starting from even that basis (but not having followed a ton on the GH2 hack) while I certainly already understand the process (from GH1 hacking days) I'm as confused as the OP about some of the new stuff for GH2.

For the GH1 I did countless hours of pouring over topics to find the useful info, and it's what I'll likely do for the GH2 as well. But count me as hopeful that we can do better FAQs and simple explanations pinned to the top to help alleviate some of the pain.

Yep, mentioned quite a few times in this thread alone. The mods are aware of the need:

I agree with Ullanta on this. Yes of course the info is all out there but, as someone said earlier, it is highly splintered. To tell a newbie to search, or especially to google it, really is not that helpful because the 5 thousand pages that come back are going to be splintered information.

I think a good updated sticky/FAQ would do wonders for this section of the forum. So many new users with so many questions- even those of us who know how to use the search tool are bombarded with information, much of which is outdated. I mean, look at the sticky thread titled "Temp FAQ". TEMP! It dates back to the GH1 and was written over 2 years ago, and was meant to be temporary!


I apologize for all us newbs clouding the forum with redundant questions.

I am working on creating a Sticky/FAQ for this topic and aggregating the knowledge so that it's easily accessible in this forum.

It looks like the sticky posts on the GH section need some dusting off and updating.

 

[bonobored]

So...nobody's gotten laid from the hack? Just...whatever man. Also, I explained what the hack did in the the 4th post.

Actually, I've found that models working auto shows are very susceptible. Just sidle up to one and murmur "Hacked GH2 baby. Bitrate insane".